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Team Canada's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Team Russia's Nail Yakupov will have different stories to tell when they hook up in Edmonton, whenever that might be.

One is a young star with the Oilers and the other should be one in the near future.

And chances are, they will meet again one day with everything on the line for their respective countries.

But on Saturday, for Nugent-Hopkins and Canada, there was only the crushing feeling that comes with a loss. For Yakupov and Russia, a bronze medal didn’t seem so bad after all.

Nugent-Hopkins had no problem leaving the Oilers’ American Hockey League affiliate in Oklahoma City to make his only appearance for Canada at the world junior championship. It was his choice to do so.

“Any time you represent Canada, no matter what happens, it was a great experience,” said Nugent-Hopkins, who played for the mens’ team last spring. “It’s something I will look back to fondly. We came here with one goal in my mind, but I will never have any regrets.”

Nugent-Hopkins led the tournament in scoring with 15 points (four goals and 11 assists) in six games and was named the best forward by the International Ice Hockey Directorate.

But one player couldn’t lead Canada single-handedly.

“I will say Ryan Nugent-Hopkins delivered the way we thought he would,” Canada head coach Steve Spott said. “He was spectacular on and off the ice. For the Edmonton Oilers to allow him to come back and for him to want to come and do what he did for our hockey club, it just speaks volumes about the person and the player he is. In my mind, he will be a great Olympian for us one day. He was everything as advertised.”

Yakupov scored two goals against Canada in a 6-5 Russia victory in overtime. In short, he was an enigma off the ice, first saying the Canadians played dirty, then going back on those words before he stopped talking to media until Saturday.

“We didn’t win the gold medal, but for bronze, we win (against) Canada so I think it’s pretty good news for us,” said Yakupov, who had three goals and five assists in seven games. “I love my team. It was a good experience for me.

“It’s good for Russia. It’s good for the fans.”

Nugent-Hopkins also was named to the tournament all-star team, along with forwards John Gaudreau of the U.S. and Filip Forsberg of Sweden, defencemen Jacob Trouba and Jake McCabe of the U.S., and goalie John Gibson of the U.S. Gibson was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Gibson and Trouba were named best goalie and best defenceman, respectively, by the IIHF.

Team Canada, Russia players may meet again as Edmonton Oilers

Team Canada's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Team Russia's Nail Yakupov will have different stories to tell when they hook up in Edmonton, whenever that might be.

One is a young star with the Oilers and the other should be one in the near future.

And chances are, they will meet again one day with everything on the line for their respective countries.

But on Saturday, for Nugent-Hopkins and Canada, there was only the crushing feeling that comes with a loss. For Yakupov and Russia, a bronze medal didn’t seem so bad after all.

Nugent-Hopkins had no problem leaving the Oilers’ American Hockey League affiliate in Oklahoma City to make his only appearance for Canada at the world junior championship. It was his choice to do so.

“Any time you represent Canada, no matter what happens, it was a great experience,” said Nugent-Hopkins, who played for the mens’ team last spring. “It’s something I will look back to fondly. We came here with one goal in my mind, but I will n